PBA Finals 2018:

Magnolia repeats over Alaska, leads 2-0

December 7 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA Finals News 2018: Magnolia Hotshots won anew over the Alaska Aces, 77-71 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in Game 2 of their Finals series in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Friday at the Araneta Coliseum. Jio Jalalon converted the Hotshots’ last six points in crunchtime to secure the Magnolia victory. Jalalon finished with 7 points and 7 rebounds, while import Romeo Travis led with 24 buckets and 9 boards.

➤ Post operator Ian Sangalang also contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds for Magnolia, while ace guard Paul Lee made 8 points and 4 rebounds.

Magnolia secured the game with impeccable defense over the Aces, causing 26 turnovers to Alaska courtesy of 20 total steals. The Hotshots also moved the ball better, dishing out 19 assists compared to the Aces 17 total.

➤ Reinforcement Mike Harris paced the Aces with 22 points and 13 caroms, while “muscle man” Vic Manuel had 10 points and 5 rebounds.

➤ Game 3 will be at the Ynares Center in Antipolo this Sunday, December 9.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 20-22, 36-41, 61-65, 77-71.

magnolia: 77

Travis 24, Sangalang 11, Lee 8, Dela Rosa 7, Jalalon 7, Reavis 6, Melton 5, Simon 4, Brondial 3, Barroca 2, Pascual 0, Herndon 0.

ALASKA: 71

Harris 22, Manuel 10, Banchero 9, Racal 7, Enciso 6, Casio 5, Exciminiano 4, Teng 4, Cruz 2, Thoss 2, Galliguez 0, Baclao 0, Pascual 0.

Posted on December 8 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Finals 2018:

Ateneo overpowers UP Maroons, bags Season 81 plum

December 5, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena
UAAP Finals 2018: Ateneo halts gritty UP Maroons, takes Game 1
The Ateneo Blue Eagles Logo

UAAP Finals 2018 News: Ateneo Blue Eagles overpowered the UP Maroons, 99-81 to bag the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball championship title this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Thirdy Ravena wowed the 23,741 Araneta crowd with an unbelievable 38 points output combined with 6 boards and 6 dimes total. Import Angelo Kouame also registered a double-double of 22 points and 22 caroms for the two-time champions Ateneo.

Ateneo is now a two-time UAAP titlist under the reins of Coach Tab Baldwin, the last time the Blue Eagles won a string of UAAP championships was in 2012 under Coach Norman Black.

➤ There was a brief halt to the game tip-off as the Blue Eagles protested the steel brace which Bright Akhuetie wore in his left knee. The brace was eventually removed and the game commenced with Akhuetie not wearing the knee protector.

Gomez De Liaño led the defeated Maroons with 24 points and 7 rebounds, while reinforcement Akhuetie chipped-in 19 points and 8 caroms. Clutch operator Paul Desiderio also made 15 buckets and 7 rebounds.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 25-13, 48-37, 70-56, 99-81.

ateneo: 99

Ravena 38, Kouame 22, Verano 11, Tio 7, Belangel 6, Nieto Ma. 6, Asistio 6, Go 3, Wong 0, Mendoza 0, Andrade 0, Black 0, Nieto Mi. 0, Daves 0, Mamuyac 0, Navarro 0.

up: 81

Gomez de Liaño Ju. 24, Akhuetie 19, Desiderio 15, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 11, Dario 8, Vito 2, Lim 2, Española 0, Prado 0, Jaboneta 0, Murrell 0, Manzo 0, Spencer 0, Longa 0.

Posted on December 5, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Finals 2018:

Ateneo halts gritty UP Maroons, takes Game 1

December 1, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena
UAAP Finals 2018: Ateneo halts gritty UP Maroons, takes Game 1
The Ateneo Blue Eagles Logo

UAAP Finals News 2018: Ateneo Blue Eagles halted the gritty UP Maroons, 88-79 to take Game 1 of their Finals showdown in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Matt Nieto paced the Blue Eagles with his 27 markers, while Thirdy Ravena had a triple-double of 21 buckets, 10 caroms and 9 dishes.

Notes:

➤ Tempers flared in the Arena after the collision of imports Angelo Kouame of Ateneo and UP’s Bright Akhuetie in the third quarter. Akhuetie was taken out of the court due to a possible leg injury but surprisingly returned with seven minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Akhuetie helped the University of the Philippines with two free-throws converted, to trail Ateneo with only three points, 68-71. However, the Blue Eagles stepped on the offensive to secure Game 1 in the battle of the Katipunan.

Jun Manzo powered the defeated Maroons with 19 points and 4 rebounds, while star Juan Gomez de Liaño finished with 17 buckets and 8 caroms. Meanwhile, clutch operator Paul Desiderio was limited to just 5 points all game.

UP and Ateneo will resume their Finals tiff on Wednesday, December 5 for Game 2.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-18, 39-38, 63-61, 88-79.

ateneo: 88

Nieto Ma. 27, Ravena 21, Kouame 7, Tio 6, Verano 6, Mamuyac 5, Nieto Mi. 4, Asistio 4, Mendoza 3, Wong 3, Go 2, Navarro 0.

up: 79

Manzo 19, Gomez de Liaño Ju. 17, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 11, Akhuetie 10, Dario 9, Desiderio 5, Vito 3, Tungcab 3, Prado 2, Gozum 0, Jaboneta 0, Murrell 0.

Posted on December 2, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Final Four 2018:

UP pulls off Adamson shocker, enters Finals

November 28, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

UAAP Finals 2017: Ateneo draws first blood, defeats DLSU 76-70
The UP Fighting Maroons

UAAP Final Four News 2018: UP Fighting Maroons upset the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 89-87 in overtime to enter the Finals of the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Paul Desiderio once again pulled-off a superb clutch performance after hitting the game-winning jumper with 6.6 ticks remaining. He also finished the game with 16 buckets and 11 boards.

Notes:

➤ The University of the Philippines gatecrashed the UAAP Finals after missing the party for 32 long years. They also beat a shoo-in Adamson squad, expected to be the strongest challenge to Ateneo for the championship plum. The stunning victory proved the mettle of the Maroons, who were coming off the biggest of upsets by eliminating the DLSU Green Archers.

Juan Gomez de Llano led UP with his career-high 30 markers and 6 caroms, while import Bright Akhuetie made 13 points.

➤ The Maroons were trailing Adamson, 84-78 in overtime, but UP kept on knocking at the door as an Akhuetie conversion tied the game at 84. The rest is history as mythical Desiderio delivered in crunchtime five clutch points to seal the momentous win for UP.

Jerrick Ahanmisi backstopped the losing Falcons with 20 points and 3 rebounds, while Jerom Lastimosa chimed in 17 buckets and 7 boards. Meanwhile, Sean Manganti was a disappointment this time around as he only registered 6 points the whole game.

➤ The Fighting Maroons will next battle the Ateneo Blue Eagles for Game 1 of the UAAP best-of-three Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena this Saturday, December 1.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-16, 51-42, 64-67, 78-78, 89-87.

up: 89

Gomez de Liaño Ju. 30, Desiderio 16, Akhuetie 13, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 8, Prado 6, Tungcab 6, Dario 5, Manzo 4, Jaboneta 1, Vito 0, Lim 0.

adamson: 87

Ahanmisi 20, Lastimosa 17, Sarr 16, Camacho 10, Pingoy 7, Magbuhos V. 6, Manganti 6, Mojica 2, Espeleta 2, Bernardo 1.

Posted on November 29, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Final Four 2018:

Unstoppable Ateneo smashes FEU, enters Finals

November 25, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena
UAAP Finals 2017: Ateneo draws first blood, defeats DLSU 76-70
Ateneo Blue Eagles

UAAP Final Four News 2018: Unstoppable Ateneo Blue Eagles smashed the FEU Tamaraws, 80-61 to enter the Finals of the 2018 UAAP Season 81 Men’s basketball this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Thirdy Ravena led the Eagles hot offense with 22 buckets, 7 caroms, and 4 dimes, while import Angelo Kouame dominated with his 18 markers, 11 rebounds, and 4 swats.

Notes:

➤ The Blue Eagles clamped down on defense as they limited all FEU players from scoring in double digits. They also blitzed to an early lead as they registered an 8-0 offensive blast over the Tamaraws.

➤ Barkley Eboña had the highest output for FEU with nine buckets, while Prince Orizu and RJ Ramirez had 7 points apiece. Arvin Tolentino was a non-factor the whole game as he was held to only five points.

➤ Ateneo will have a long rest as they await the victor between Adamson and UP in the last Semis pairing this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 17-9, 38-24, 59-36, 80-61.

ateneo: 80

Ravena 22, Kouame 18, Verano 7, Go 6, Nieto Ma 6, Nieto Mi 5, Belangel 4, Asistio 3, Mamuyac 3, Mendoza 3, Black 2, Tio 1, Andrade 0, Daves 0, Wong 0, Navarro 0.

feu: 63

Ebona 9, Ramirez 7, Orizu 7, Gonzales 6, Tolentino 5, Inigo 5, Stockton 5, Escoto 4, Tuffin 4, Parker 4, Comboy 3, Cani 2, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0, Bienes 0, Jopia 0.

Posted on November 25, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Final Four 2018:

UP Maroons stuns Adamson, 73-71

November 24, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena

UAAP Final Four 2018 News: University of the Philippines stunned second-seeded Adamson University, 73-71 to take Game 1 of their Best-of-Three series in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 Final Four Semifinals this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Import Bright Akhuetie converted the game-winner for the Fighting Maroons with 2.6 ticks remaining in the game. He finished with 6 buckets, while Paul Desiderio and Juan Gomez de Liaño led UP with 19 points apiece each.

Notes:

➤ UAAP MVP Akhuetie made the go-ahead shot after an inbound play by UP to break the deadlock at 71-all.

➤ The Maroons made a historic run by gaining entry to the Final Four after 21 years and may have the chance to reach the UAAP Season 81 Finals if they beat Adamson once more in Game 2.

➤ Meanwhile, reinforcement Papi Sarr backstopped the losing Falcons with 23 markers and 9 rebounds, as Sean Manganti made 15 buckets. Ace sniper Jerrick Ahanmisi was limited to only 9 points after a 1-of-8 three-point shooting total.

➤ UP and Adamson will duke it out again on at the Araneta Coliseum this Wednesday, November 28.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 17-16, 28-29, 54-43, 73-71.

up: 73

Desiderio 19, Gomez de Liaño Ju 19, Gomez de Liaño Ja 9, Manzo 9, Akhuetie 6, Prado 4, Dario 3, Vito 2, Jaboneta 2, Tungcab 0, Gozum 0, Murrell 0, Lim 0.

adamson: 71

Sarr 23, Manganti 15, Ahanmisi 9, Camacho 8, Lastimosa 7, Espeleta 5, Magbuhos V 4, Mojica 0, Bernardo 0, Pingoy 0, Catapusan 0.

Posted on November 25, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP 2018:

FEU trounces La Salle, 71-70

November 21, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

UAAP 2018 News: FEU Tamaraws trounced the La Salle Green Archers, 71-70 to book the last UAAP Final Four ticket in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Arvin Tolentino sank the game-winning trey and led the Tamaraws with 15 markers total, while Kevin Ebona also finished with 12 points and 16 boards.

Notes:

Tolentino converted the clutch three-point bomb for FEU with 3.1 seconds remaining in crunch time. Santi Santillan had a chance to steal the game for DLSU but failed to drain the shot due to FEU’s stifling defense.

➤ The Far Eastern University is now on their sixth straight Final Four appearance in the UAAP.

➤ Meanwhile, Santillan paced the eliminated La Salle with his 20 buckets and 6 caroms, while Aljun Melecio had 9 points and 6 assists.

➤ The FEU Tamaraws will next battle the number one Ateneo Blue Eagles for the UAAP Final Four this Sunday, November 25. Defending champion Ateneo will have the twice-to-beat advantage in their semifinals showdown.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 22-21, 36-38, 54-51, 71-70.

feu: 71

Tolentino 15, Ebona 12, Tuffin 11, Escoto 10, Comboy 8, Parker 7, Inigo 5, Cani 2, Orizu 1, Bienes 0, Stockton 0, Gonzales 0.

la salle: 70

Santillan 20, Caracut 9, Melecio 9, Montalbo 7, Baltazar 6, Manuel 5, Samuel 4, Go 3, Dyke 3, Serrano 2, Bates 2.

Posted on November 21, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP 2018:

UP smashes NU, 82-71

November 3, 2018 – Ynares Center

UAAP News 2018: The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons smashed the National University Bulldogs, 82-71 to stay in contention in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 Men’s basketball this Saturday at the Ynares Center. Import Bright Akhuetie led the Maroons with his 21 markers and 10 boards, while Paul Desiderio added 12 buckets.

Notes:

UP is raring to enter the UAAP Final Four as they are now in solo fourth place in the standings behind UST and FEU (both at identical 5-6).

➤ Super rookie Dave Ildefonso starred for the losing Bulldogs with 24 points total.

➤ UP is now sporting a 6-6 win-loss record, while NU is nearing elimination as they are now at 7th place with a 3-8 slate.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 17-15, 40-30, 60-49, 82-71.

UP: 82

Akhuetie 21, Desiderio 12, Vito 10, Ju. Gomez de Liaño 10, Murrell 8, Manzo 8, Prado 6, Gozum 4, Ja. Gomez de Liaño 2, Diego 1, Jaboneta 0, Lim 0, Tungcab 0, Spencer 0.

NU: 71

D. Ildefonso 24, Sinclair 13, Gallego 9, Rike 7, Salim 6, S. Ildefonso 6, Clemente 5, Gaye 1, Yu 0, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Tibayan 0.

Posted on November 4, 2018 - Ynares Center - Antipolo

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP 2018:

La Salle ravages UST, 110-69

November 3, 2018 – Ynares Center – Antipolo

UAAP News 2018: The De La Salle Green Archers ravaged the UST Growling Tigers, 110-69 in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s basketball this Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Aljun Melecio wowed with season-high 22 markers and 6 dimes for DLSU, while import Mark Dyke contributed 16 points and 6 caroms.

Notes:

➤ The Green Archers led by as big as 48 points in the fourth quarter with a minute remaining. The victory was the second of DLSU over former coach Aldin Ayo, now the mentor of the Tigers.

Alvin Caracut and Jollo Go also contributed 15 and 14 points for La Salle respectively.

➤ Guard Marvin Lee paced the defeated Tigers with his 26 points, while CJ Cansino chipped-in 14 markers.

➤ DLSU is now at solo third place in Season 81 standings with 7-4 slate, while UST dropped to 4th place with a 5-6 record.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 29-13, 50-31, 84-40, 110-69.

DLSU: 110

Melecio 22, Dyke 16, Caracut 15, Go 14, Serrano 13, Baltazar 13, Santillan 6, Montalbo 4, Manuel 3, Capacio 2, Bates 2, Corteza 0.

UST: 69

Lee 26, Cansino 14, Cosejo 5, Mahinay 5, Marcos 5, Zamora 4, Huang 3, Bataller 3, Bonleon 2, Agustin 2, Subido 0, Caunan 0.

Posted on November 4, 2018 - Ynares Center - Antipolo

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP 2018:

La Salle demolishes Ayo's UST, 99-72

October 3, 2018 – MOA Arena

UAAP News 2018: De La Salle Green Archers demolished Ayo’s UST Growling Tigers, 99-72 in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 Men’s basketball this Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Justine Baltazar starred for DLSU with a double-double of 22 buckets and 10 boards, while Aljun Melecio contributed 19 markers.

Notes:

Andrei Caracut also chipped-in 13 points for DLSU.

➤ Renzo Subido led the defeated UST with his 16 points and 2 rebounds, while Zach Huang also made 13 markers and 6 caroms.

➤ La Salle is now sporting a 3-2 record, while UST went down to 1-4 in UAAP Season 81.

➤ It was the first meeting between La Salle and coach Aldin Ayo after the latter left the Green Archers. La Salle lost the Season 80 championship to Ateneo after winning the trophy in 2016. DLSU is now being coached by former Ayo deputy Louie Gonzalez.

➤ The Green Archers lost several players together with Ayo to various reasons this season. Former MVP Ben Mbala left to play abroad, while Ricci Rivero, Brent Paraiso, and Prince Rivero all transferred to different UAAP teams. Meanwhile, Ayo opted to mentor the Growling Tigers for Season 81.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 28-13, 54-34, 71-51, 99-72.

la salle: 99

Baltazar 22, Melecio 19, Caracut 13, Go 11, Santillan 11, Serrano 10, Bates 6, Manuel 5, Dyke 2, Capacio 0, Corteza 0.

ust: 72

Subido 16, Lee 13, Huang 13, Caunan 8, Cansino 7, Cosejo 5, Bataller 3, Marcos 3, Zamora 2, Mahinay 2, Ando 0, Agustin 0.

Posted on October 4, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena - Pasay

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

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